An ESPN camera Sunday night focused on Greg Maddux talking to Sean Marshall in
the Cubs' dugout after Marshall came out with one out in a troubled fifth inning
that saw the St. Louis Cardinals recapture the lead 4-3.
Maddux was asked Thursday what he imparted to the rookie, who ended up with a
no-decision when the Cubs won 8-4.
"Anytime you see a pitcher screw up, you're like, 'Oh, I did that,'''
Maddux said. "You know how you've screwed up in the past. I try to give him
and all the guys a heads-up. Experience is screwing up and not screwing up the
same way again. That's all experience is.''
Marshall has a chance tonight in Pittsburgh to show that he learned some
lessons against the Cardinals. Manager Dusty Baker figures it can't hurt the
young left-hander to be in a less scrutinized situation than a Cardinals-Cubs
game in front of a national audience, especially after he held his own in his
major-league debut.
"He was facing one of the top offensive clubs in the game, and that
outing should be a tremendous boost,'' Baker said. "He had first-game
jitters on national TV. I can't say how he's going to do, but I know he has the
stuff, and I think he has the demeanor and mind-set.
"In spring training, Maddux and [bench coach] Dick Pole were comparing
him to other guys and were impressed with him. These are guys that recognize
pitching. Maddux said that he liked him.''
Maddux hasn't changed his mind after Marshall allowed four runs, four hits
and a walk in 41/3 innings against the Cardinals.
"He pitched better than his pitching line,'' Maddux said. "It's
easy to look at a guy's line score and say he looked bad or good. You see life
on his fastball, pretty good location and he changes speeds.''
If Marshall picks up the pace with a six- or seven-inning performance tonight
at PNC Park, he can solidify his spot in the rotation. With Jerome Williams
starting Saturday and Glendon Rusch on Sunday, this weekend could answer some
question marks.
